Spanos' patience running out

SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers, we know, are on the clock. The same
goes for general manager A.J. Smith and coach Marty
Schottenheimer.

With Saturday's first pick in the NFL draft -- barring a trade
-- some celebrated rookie will merge into a Chargers franchise that
is long on hope and short on results.

For Smith and Schottenheimer, they hope their 2004 results
induce a return invitation for 2005. Smith, entering his second
year as GM, is eager to rebound from a ghastly 17-31 mark in his
three seasons in San Diego.

Under Schottenheimer, it's been more Marty Fall than Marty Ball:
a 12-20 record in two seasons.

But is it too much to ask, quickly transforming one of the NFL's
worst teams into one which is playoff worthy? Can the Chargers,
which were gutted the past two years -- goodbye, Rodney Harrison,
Junior Seau, Curtis Conway, David Boston, Marcellus Wiley and
Vaughn Parker -- be gussied up in one offseason?

"We better," team president Dean Spanos said.

Spanos' declaration arrives with nary a qualifier.

He's ditched talk about learning curves, people settling in and
patience in a league that has no room for any.

The Chargers' time to win is now, Spanos states. If so, they
need one blockbuster of a draft this weekend, when snagging 10 of
the nation's best and brightest.

"Obviously, this is very important to us, especially when you
have the first pick," Spanos said. "We were at No. 1 a couple years
ago and traded down, and I liked the outcome. Getting LaDainian
Tomlinson speaks for itself."

No faulting Tomlinson's production. The running back rushed for
at least 1,000 yards in his three seasons, and led the NFL in yards
from scrimmage last year, thanks in part to 100 receptions.

But other numbers bark loud and clear, too. Since the trade that
delivered quarterback Michael Vick to Atlanta -- and was to turn
the Chargers into a peach -- it's been more of the same: a 17-31
record, with a playoff-free stretch of seasons reaching eight.

"We've struggled the last few years, been up and down," Spanos
said. "Last year was a very bad year for us."

Which was rewarded with a very good pick.

At No. 1, the Chargers can learn firsthand how far the apple
falls from a quarterback tree. Mississippi's Eli Manning is not
only Colts' star Peyton Manning's brother, but his dad, Archie, was
a standout on Saints teams that played -- similar to the Chargers
-- liked Jugheads.

Or, the Chargers could peddle the pick, with the Giants and
Redskins declaring an interest.

That piles on added significance to the draft, after the
Chargers consistently flew under the free-agent radar.

While Smith's predecessor, the late John Butler, spent like a
wobbly sailor on leave, Smith was Jack Benny-frugal this
offseason.

"It's a different philosophy," Spanos said. "And it's different
than what we have done in the past."

Which, according to Spanos, isn't necessarily a negative. One
look at the dollars thrown at Boston, the gifted but moody wide
receiver; cornerbacks Ryan McNeil and Alex Molden; tight end
Stephen Alexander; and Wiley, a defensive end, reveal the Chargers
getting shortchanged.

"We didn't go out and chase all these marquee free agents, so to
speak," Spanos said. "A.J. has been consistent with that, that he
is going to build this franchise through the draft. We're more
focused on the draft this year than we have ever been."

That spotlight is especially toasty after going 4-12, and
clutching the top pick.

Immediately after that embarrassing 2003 season, Spanos --
burned by the 1998 second overall draft selection of Ryan Leaf --
was quoted as saying the Chargers wouldn't tab a quarterback.

"Don't believe everything you read," Spanos warned.

Good advice. But what can fans glean from an organization that
spent roughly $12 million on Leaf, and got but four wins in return?
Will that cause them to ditch Manning, and go the cheaper
quarterback route, by going south on the board to obtain Miami of
Ohio's Ben Roethlisberger or North Carolina State's Philip
Rivers?

"What happened in the past, and with Ryan Leaf, is irrelevant,"
Spanos stressed. "We will do what we think is in the best interest
of this club and make a decision. If that means taking a
quarterback, that's what we'll do. If that means trading down,
that's what we'll do. Ryan Leaf was so long ago that, believe me,
we will take a quarterback if we want to take one."

The Chargers better not take five this weekend.

Instead, the 10 players headed their way will go a long way in
determining if Smith and Schottenheimer stay.